Britain's fifth night of rioting has passed with less violence but no clear end to the problem. The Prime Minister David Cameron is under pressure to reverse cuts in welfare, including such services as youth clubs in deprived areas. More

In Australia, there's more evidence today of the slowing economy. The unemployment rate has reached its highest level in eight months. But some employment experts say it's too early tell if a trend has started. More

Frustration of families losing jobs and general cuts are crippling English communities like Tottenham. Clasford Stirling from the Broadwater Football Club says the British Prime Minister needs to look at the bigger picture and realise there's not just isolated pockets of discontent, but a ripple of discontent throughout the country. More

The Federal Government says the rise in unemployment needs to be put in perspective, as Australia's economy remains extremely strong. But the Opposition says it reveals the Australian economy could be vulnerable to the economic turmoil overseas and is another reason why the Government should not introduce a carbon tax right now. More

United States based game developer THQ has announced the closure of its Australian operations and 200 people have lost jobs. Insiders say it's part of an industry-wide slowdown caused in part by the booming Australian dollar. More

Rumours last night that France's second biggest bank, Societe Generale, was on the brink of collapse, sent global share markets into a tail-spin. It coincided with market speculation that France was about to have its credit rating downgraded. Economists say it highlights how vulnerable international banks are to European sovereign debt. More

The arrest of the former NSW Crime Commission investigator Mark Standen is seen by some as one of the worst examples of corruption in a significant investigative organisation. A Supreme Court jury convicted Standen of plotting to import 300 kilograms of pseudoephedrine. The NSW Opposition says there's a cloud over hundreds of court rulings where Mark Standen has overseen the investigations. More

A new study has concluded that Indian students are assaulted no more often than the general Australian population. But in the larger states at least, they are more likely to be robbed . The researchers say this is because students from the sub-continent are more likely to be working in late-night jobs that put them at risk. More

Former Brisbane Broncos star Ian Lacey has issued an angry challenge to Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey to visit Queensland and see anti-smoking programs in Aboriginal communities. Earlier this week the Coalition front bencher said an Aboriginal anti-smoking program was an outrageous waste of money. More

Dozens of native bush rats are being released in Sydney in an attempt to rid the city of the European black rats which have made it their territory. The Boguls, or bush rats, are considered less harmful to other wildlife and to humans. More